Elevator



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Aug. 22, 1933.

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Aug. 22, 1933.

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ELEVATOR Filed Oct. 16, 1931 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 gnam/Wto@ L A. /4//NSLO/4/ Aug. 22, 1933.

L. R. WI NSLOW ELEVATOR Filed Oct. 16, 1931 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 mit f 0 fluor/vulgo.

Aug. 22, 1933. 1 R wlNsLow ELEVATOR Filed Oct. 16, 1931 ll Sheets-Sheet 7 gjm Aug. 22, 1933. L. R. wlNsLow ELEVATOR Filed Oct. 16 1931 1l Sheets-Sheet 8 Allg. 22, R wlNSLOW ELEVATOR Filed Oct. 16, 1931 l1 SheelS--Sheetl 9 Sumo/whom L A. 74A/SLOW @Houd ugo. Y

Aug. 22, 1933.

L. R. WINSLOW ELEVATOR Filed Oct. 16, 1931 11 Sheets-Sheet l0 Aug. 22, 1933- R. wlNsLow ELEVATOR `F1ed Oct. 16, 1951 11 Sheets-Sheet 11 F/G. ZZ.

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Patented ug. 22, 1933 UNTED STATES PATENT FFlCE 16 Claims.

This invention relates to elevators of that type wherein a plurality of cars or cages can be operated simultaneously in the same shaft, there being one shait for cars moving upwardly, another shaft for cars moving downwardly, and means for transferring the cars from one shaft to the other. An apparatus of this kind has been disclosed in my copending application iiled August 23, 1929, Serial Number 387,935 now Pat. No. 1,859,483.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide the cars or cages with counterbalancing means whereby one descending car or cage will assist the ascent of another car in the other shaft, said means being disconnected during the ransfer operations.

A further object is to provide remote controlled motors located at a desired point away from the shafts whereby a number of cars or cages can be actuated simultaneously.

A still further object is to provide a system whereby operators in any two connected cages can communicate with each other. Y

Another object is to provide a governor controlled means for regulatingV the speed or the cages.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

1n sai-d drawings:

Figure 1 is a front View, more or less in diagram, showing counterbalanced cages in their shafts.

Figure 2 is an elevation of the group of cables at the right of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an elevation of said cables at the left of Figure l.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the transfer means at one end of the shafts, two transfer trucks being shown.

Figure 5 is a plan View of one of the cable guides.

Figure 6 is a section on line 6 6, Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a horizontal section through the bottom portion of a cage showing the propelling (Cl. IS7- 16) Figure 9 is a vertical transverse section sub-Y- stantially on line 9-9, Figure 8 through the bottom portion of a cage.

Figure 10 is a section on line 10-1i), Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a section on line 11--11, Figure 10.

Figure l2 is a section on line 12-12, Figure 9. p

Figure 13 is a Vertical section through thelower portion of the governor.

Figure 14 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section showing the safety locking means used during the transfer of cages.

Figure 15 is a section on line 15-15, Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a plan view of the series of locking bars, the cables being shown in section;

Figure 17 is an elevation of a cage showing means for locking the cage while being transferred.

Figure 18 is a diagram showing apparatus for effecting communication between the occupants of different cages, and for controlling operation of the cages by remote motors.

Figure 19 is a plan view of a contact device for the communication system.

Figure 20 is a similar view showing the device in its other extreme position.

Figure 21 is a view more or less in diagram showing a means for operating the cages from remote controlled motors.

Figure 22 is a View in diagram showing another modication of the elevator system.

Figure 23 is asection on line 23-23, Figure 4.

Figure 24 is a detail view of the latch shown in Figure 17.

As in my pending application herein referred to each passenger cage is equipped with an individual motor located in a compartment under the iloor of the cage, and receives its power from a charged rail, and by means of gears and toothed racks each cage is capable of movement upward or downward in the shafts at the will of the operator, except when blocked by automatic means as explained in my application referred to.

Referring to Figure 1 the compartment under cage 1 is equipped with a motor 2 having a gear 3 which meshes with a gear fl; on the shaft 5. On each end of the shalt 5 is a gear 6 which meshes with the teeth on the rack 7. This racs: extends the full length of e shafts A and B. On the rear side of each of the elevator shafts there are located vertical power rails S. Each cage is equipped with shoes 9 arranged to slide along the power rails each shoe has a wire l0 connecting with the operators switch bor: 11 having a control handle l2. E 'ending from the switch bo:\: 1l is another wire i3 connecting with the motor 2. The power rails 8 are at all times charged with electric current. The operators switch box 11 is located at a convenient place within the cage and by the movement of the control lever i2 the operator may apply the power to the mot r and move the cage in either direction.

There are also provided suitable brakes by which the operator may control the cage. These consist of a drum le secured to the shaft 5 and around the drum is a brake band connected at each end to the lever 16. The upwardly extending bar 1T Yhas an operators handle and a foot pedal 19. The movement downward of the handle 18 or edal 19 by the operator will act to draw the ends of the brake band together, thereby retarding the movement of the drive shaft 5 and controlling the movement of the cage.

There'is also provided an automatic brake consisting of a drum 20 having a band 2l operatively connected with shaft 22 and rod 23. This rod is attached to a lever 2li extending outside the cage and in the path of certain devices (not shown) for the purpose of stopping the cage if it approaches too near that ci another cage in the same shaft. Rod 23 carries two operating pins 25 between which a pivoted switch arm 26 so arranged that the movement of the rod 23 in either direction will act to slide the arm 26 off of the contact button and break the circuit to the motor.

The foregoing is a brief description of the general operation of the cages and is fully set forth in my application now pending and hereinbefore mentioned.

It has been found that under some conditions, when cages are operated as heretofore, the weight is such as to retard rapid upward moving, and especially starting, while in moving them downwardly the weight maires control difficult. It is with a y correcting these objections that e present mechanism has been devised.

The shafts A and B are provided with a series of endless cables 39 and 3 over pulleys 32 and 33 and each is connected to a weight 34. Cables 30 are for use in assisting the cages in ascending one shaft. Cables 31 are also attached to the weights. Cable 3l is for use in assisting'the cages in descending. The cables Si) and 3l are in pairs, 'he cables of each pair being attached to the same weight and moving upwardly and downwardly together. A system composed of cables 30 31 and al weight Se is required for each cage; hence if `ive are to be operated in a single shaft it would require five sets consisting of a cable 30 and a cable si and a weight Se. c 2 and 3 show an arrangement for opera -g .fe cages.

Below each cage in a compartment 35 is arranged a sliding bar 3 supported by guides 3'?. This bar 36 is slotted atr38 so that when adjusted to its outward position a cable will be in position within the slot. Mounted upon the cables are fixed enlargenionteI or lugs; l0 and 41, so spaced the cables that when the Weight 3e is in its highest position the lugs 39 and 4G will be located where bar 36 can be adjusted outwardly between them. When in this position as shown in Figure 9, the cage is directly connected with the weight 24. The weight 34 is approxima ely of the same weight as the cage. Thus very little power is required to lift the cage.

When the cage reaches the point of travel the weight will rest on the base support 42. At this time the cage has passed into a transfer carriage ready to be moved to the position over the other shaft as will be explained hereinafter'. When the cage is ascending with the bar 36 between the lugs 39 and 40, the cable 3i) is ascending. The cable 31 is likewise ascending because it is connected to the descending weight 34 of said cable 3). Therefore when the cage is transferred to the descending shaft, the lugs 39 and e0 on the descending cable will have been brought to position (shown in dotted lines, Figure l) to receive the bar 36. Thus the cage is again put in connection with the weight ready for the descent.

For each cage to be operated there is required, as before stated, a set comprising o. cable 30, a cable 31 and a weight Se, but as only a small amount of space is required for each set, a number of sets may be installed and a number of cages can be operated in single shaft at the same time. This is shown clearly in Figures 2 and 3 where rive sets have been disclosed.

Referring to Figures 9 and 1G the mechanism for adjusting the bar 36 in and out of adjustment with the cab will be explained.

The bar 36 is mounted in and supported by a movable frame es with holes 45 threaded to fit the screw rods i6 mounted in bearings 47, one of these rods having a squared end 48 to receive a crank 49. Each screw rod 46 has mounted thereon a sprocket wheel 5G connected by a chain 51, so that when one screw rod is turned with the crank 49 the two screw rods are turned simultaneously to move the frame 44 and the rod 35 to any point from the front to the rear of the cage. Thus the rod 36 may be radjusted relative to any set of cables.

After bar 36 has been brought into alignment with the desired cable, it is necessary to adjust it in and out of connection with the cable, and that is accomplished as follows: On the upper side of the rod or bar 36 is a rack 52 meshing with a gear 53 feathered on a shaft 54 which terminates in a squared head 5.5 to receive a crank 49. When rod is rotated the bar 36 will be adjusted in orout of connection with the cables 30 and This operation can be effected by the attendant when a cage is transferred at the end of its run at the top or bottom of the shafts. The gear 53 slides along the shaft when the adjustment of the frame fle is made and is held in its proper relation to the rack 52 by guard rails 57 carried by the bar 36. With this construction the mechanism connecting the cage to the cables made adjustable to any position and to engage with any of the sets of cables.

It is desirable to provide means for preventing the cables slapping or swinging back and extreme upward forth, and to hold them in their proper positions at all times. This is done with devices each consisting of two wings 60 (see Figures 5, 6 and 10). These wings are fastened to the wall within the elevator shaft, as at 61, in such a way that the cut out portion 62 of each wing allows for the passage ofA the cable through it. The portions of the wings extending to the wall are of yielding construction allowing them to be spread apart as the end of the bar 36 passes through and be closed again as soon as the bar has passed through, either in ascending or descending. The open position is shown in dotted lines in Figure 5.

In connection with this system of cables for counter-balancing the cages, it is necessary to provide some substantial means for holding the weights 34 in position, and prevent dropping, at the time when the cages are disconnected from the cables. When a cage reaches the lower end of the shaft and is ready to be transferred to the ascending shaft, the corresponding weight is at its extreme highest point and only held there by its connection with the cage through the cable. Therefore the weight must have some means to prevent falling when the cage is disconnected frorn the cable. To secure this result there has been provided a number of sliding locking bolts 63 arranged for horizontal movement in guides 64. These bolts have slots 65 in one end to receive the cables 30 just above the lugs 4l. In line with each cable 31 is a slot 67 in position to receive the cable just above a lug 4l. in full lines in Figures 14 and l5, the cables are held from upward movement at these points. Hence the weight is held from dropping.

Each locking bolt 63 must always be in this position while its cage is being transferred from the descending to the ascending shaflJ and remain in such position until the cage is in the ascending shaft and connected to the ascending cable. To assure proper operation there is a rod 69 projecting downwardly from the bottom of the cage. When the cage descends this rod 69 bears on the end 70 of a crank arm pivoted at 7l, the lower end of the crank arm 72 bearing against a projecting pin 73 on the bar 63. This causes bar 63 to be forced to position with cable in the slot 65 just above one lug 41 on cable 30 while slot 67 receives the cable 3l just above its lug 41. This action takes place before the cage has been disconnected from its cable. Hence the weight is held against dropping when the cage is disconnected.

When the bolt 68 is moved to the locking position as described, it is held in that position by a latch 74 dropping into a notch 75 on the bar 63. This latch is pivoted at 76 and has an upwardly extending projection 77 located in the path of the rod 69 carried bythe cage.

When the cage enters the bottoni of the shaft the rod 69 bears against the projection 77 and tilts it to lift the latch 74 and unlock the bar 63. There is however, another lock that must be released before the bar 63 is free to be withdrawn to release the cable. That lock is mounted in a bearing 78 and includes a latch 79 connected by a link 80 to a trigger 81 pivoted to a fixed bearing at 82. This trigger has an upwardly extending arm 83 in the path cf the bar 36 carried by the cage.

When the bar 63 is moved to lock the cables as shown in Figures 9 and i8, the latch 79 drops into a slot 84 on the bar 63 which will prevent When bolt 63 is in the position shown the bar 63 being withdrawn until the proper time. This latch is not released until after the cage has been transferred to the ascending shaft. When the bar 36 carried by the cage is adjusted to the position with the cable in its slot and the bar 36 between the lugs 39 and 40, said bar 36 will come in contact with arm 83, forcing it to the dotted line position (Figure 14) and lifting the latch 79 out of the notch 84 on the bar 63. This releases the bar so that it may now be withdrawn from above and out of the path of the lugs 66 and 68. The cage is then free to start on its upward trip. It should be noted that this latch 79 is not lifted out of the notch 84 until after the bar 36 has reached the point in its adjustment between lugs 39 and 40 which would absolutely prevent the withdrawal of bar 63 before the cage was securely connected to the cable. A hand lever 85 at the end of the bar 63 is employed for withdrawing the bar after it is unlocked by the two locking devices just described.

The means for transferring the cages :froml one shaft to the other is shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4, and consists of a track passing directly below the ends of the two shafts beneath the lower floor of the building, for transferring the cages after they have descended, and another similar track passing directly over the tops of the two shafts above the top floor'of the build` ing for transferring the cagesafter they have ascended to the topof the building. Figure 4 is a floor plan of these tracks. terminate on either side of the shafts A and B in a Y of ordinary switch construction enabling the carriage, after it has received its cage, to bev switched to the other track` and deposited in lineV `with the opposite shaft. The carriage 86 is mounted on wheels 87. Axle 88 has a gear 89 to mesh with a gear 90 on the motor 91 which is operated kfrom the control box 92 by an operator in charge, the power being obtained from a power rail, not shown.

The transfer carriage is of hollow construction, being provided with extensions 8' of the power rail 8 and 7 of the toothed racks 7 so that the cages may be driven into it.

The object in constructing the track with a Y on each end is to permit the operation of more than one transfer carriage at the same time. One carriage may be receiving a cage while another carriage is delivering one, and by keeping the carriages moving in the direction of the arrows in Figure 4 the act of transferring is greatly facilitated.

In Figure 17 the carriage frame 86 has a dog 93 pivoted at 94 and provided with an extension 95 connected by a link 96 to a trip lever 97 which curves downward in the path of the bolt 36 carried by the cage. A notch 98 is cut in the frame of the cage to receive the dog 93 when a cage passes into the' carriage at the top iicor transfer. This prevents the cage dropping back out of the carriage, and the dog is held in this position until the transfer is made.

When the bolt 36 is moved to engage the cable the end'thereof will act to trip the lever 97 and withdraw the dog 93 from the notch 98 and release the cage for descent, This will be apparent by referring to the dotted line positions shown in Figure 17.

A modified means for operating the cages with the multiple system of cables as hereinbefore described is shown in Figures 18 and 2l. The cable 31 and the Weight 34 are dispensed with.

The tracks T Also the individual motors used for driving the cages are dispensed with, and the cables 30 propel the cages and receive their power from remote motors located in the basement or at any other convenient place. The operation of the motors is controlled by the operator in the cage.

In dispensing with thev weights 34 to counterbalance the cage, I connect two cages to the same cable, one going up and one coming down at the same time. In Figure '18, cages 100 and 101 are connected to the same cable by means including the bar 36 movable between the lugs 39 and 40. Likewise cages` 102 and 103 are connected to another cable, and cagesk 104 and 105 are connected to a third cable. Thus the cages will be completely balanced, one car balancing the other, so that very little power will be required to move them.

The manner of controlling the. motors in the basement by the operators in the cages is as follows: Arranged at the rear of the cages within the elevator shaft are a series of transmission rails 106, arranged in pairs designated a b, c d, c f, y h, and i j. At the top of the shafts these rails are connected by cables 107 and at the eXtreme bottom of the shafts the rails have cables 103 connected to the several motors 109. Arranged on the rear side of the cages is an adjustable contact carrier 110 movable along a fixed rod 111 supported by brackets 112 on the cage. These brackets 112 also carry a threaded adjusting rod 113 passing through the carrier 110 and having a squared end 114 to receive a crank for turning so that the contact carrier may be adjusted along the rod to any position in line with any of the transmission rails 106.

Carried by the Contact carrier 110 are the contacts 115 which slide along the transmis- 'sion rails 106 as the cage moves up or down.

These contacts 115 are connected by the cable 116 to the control boX 117 having a handle 118 by which the operator controls the movement of the cage. These controllers 17 are of the conventional type and when one is not in use the other can be operated to control the movement of its hoisting cable and the two cars coupled thereto. The transmission rails 106 must not be confused with the power rails 8 shown and described in a foregoing part of this description. They are used to make a complete circuit at all times from the operators control box in the cage to the motor 109 in the basement that propels the cables for moving the cages. With this arrangement a connection is set up from the operators box in the cage through the cable 11,6, contacts 115, rails 106, cables 107 and 108 to the motor in the basement. Hence Vthe operator in. the cage may move his car as desired from his control box in his cage, either forward, reverse, or to stop. The power for operating the motors may be` furnished to them from any suitable source.

As shown in Figure 21 cages 100 and 101 are connected and will operate simultaneously, one ascending' and the other descending, and inasmuch as the contacts 115 on both cages are traveling along the transmission rails 106 marked a and b, they are both in connection with the same motor. Thus either the ,operator in cage 100 or the operator in cage 101 may control the movement of the two cages. Therefore it is necessary to set up some means ci communication between the4 two. cages sol that while the operator in one cage may be desighated as the operator in charge, and have full control of the movement of the two cages, he can receive signals from the operator in the other cage so that he will know when the other operator is ready for the cages to start and at what floors he desires his cage to be stopped. To provide for this inter-communication the following means has been provided:

rranged at one side of the elevator shaft and extending from the top to the bottom of the shaft is a series of communicating rails 120 arranged in pairs similar to the rails just described. These rails 120 are connected at the bottom end by cables 121. Mounted on the side of the cage is a contact-carrier 122 mounted for sliding adjustment on a bar 123 xed in brackets 124 on the cage, and having an adjusting screw 125 with a squared end 126 to receive a crank. Thus the screw can be turned the contact-carrier 122 moved to any position in line with the diiferent rods 120. The contact carrier 122 is provided with two contacts 127 so arranged as to be adjusted in contact with the communicating rails 120. Figure 18 shots-.fs the two cages with the contact made on the two communicating rails 120, nearest the front of the elevator shafts, With the contacts so set in both cages a direct connection between the two cages is established, and is constantly maintained.

From the contact-carrier 122 extend two wires 128 connecting with a buzzer 129, a battery or transformer 130 and signal button 131. With such an arrangement any pre-arranged code of signals may be used at all times between the two cages.

In addition to the two cages 100 and 101 being in communication as shown in Figure 18 other cages may be connected, as 102 and 103, and 10e and 105, etc.

In operating the cages in the manner just explained, the motor 2 and the gears 3 and 1 are dispensed with. All other mechanism such as the shaft 5, gears 6, racks 7, brakes 14 and 20 and other described mechanism is employed in this construction. The transfer of the cages from one shaft to the other is accomplished as herelnbefore described but before a cage is A removedfrom the shaft the contacts 127 should be disconnected from the communicating rods 120 and this may be done by means of a cam 132 connected to an operating handle 133 as shown in Figure 20 where the contact is closed, and in Figure 19 where the contact is open.

Figure 22 shows another method of operating the cages, using one cage to counterbalance another. In this construction the cable 134 is an endless cable mounted on four pulleys 135. This cable hangs idlv in the shafts, not being connected directly with any source of power. Its lugs 30 and 40 are so spaced that they are in a position to receive the bar 36 carried by cage 101 at the top floor in the opposite shaft. In this instance the cages are all equipped with individual motors for propelling the cages through the means of the motor 2, gears 3 and 4, shaft 5 and rack and pinion 6 and 7, and receiving the current for operation through the power rails 8 which have been fully explained heretofore.

When, the two cages are connected together asin Figure 22 they may then be put in motion by theoperator in either cage1 Hence av communicating system between the two cages would be necessary as shown in Figure 18.

To guard against a cage attaining too high a rate of speed, or in checking the descent of a cage in case of accident where the cage has got beyond the control of the operator, there is provided a governor shown in Figures 9, 12 and 13. It consists of a vertical shaft 140 mounted in a base 141 and at its upper end there is a bevel gear 142 meshing with a similar gear 143 on the driving shaft 5. Shaft 140 thus rotated simultaneously with the drive shaft 5. Fixed to the shaft 141) by a pin 141 is a collar 142 having projections 143 to which are pivoted arms 144 carrying balls or weights 145. Pivoted to each arm 144 is a linlr 145 which is pivoted at 147 to a projection on a collar 148 mounted loosely on the shaft 140. This collar 148 has a groove 149 into which ts the forked end 150 and 153 to the two ends of the brake band 154 which iits upon a brake drum 155 fixed to the drive shaft 5. With this arrangement should the cage get beyond control and attain excessive speed, the mechanism composed of gear 142, shaft 140, arms 144, balls or weights 145 and collar 148 would be rotated in a rapid, manner, and as speed increased the balls 145 would be swung outward tending to raise the collar 148 and lift the end of the bar 151. rlhis will tighten the ends of the brake band 154 and retard the movement of the drum 155 on shaft 5. As shaft 5 has the pinions 6 in mesh with the racks 7, any retarding of the shaft will slow down the movement of the cage. In moving the cage at the ordinary speed the weights 145 would not be thrown outward Suniciently to cause the lifting of the collar 148, but any excessive speed would cause the action just explained.

What is claimed is:

1. An elevator including separate shafts, separate cages movable up -dly in one shaft and downwardly in the other shaft, cage transfer means at the ends of the shafts, and means detachably engaged by the cages for counterbalancing the cages.

2. An elevator including separate shafts, separate cages movable upwardly in one shaft and downwardly in the other shaft, cage transfer means at the ends of the shafts, each cage in one shaft being paired with one cage in the other shaft, and cables in the shafts for connecting the cages of the respective pairs.

3. An elevator including separate shafts, separate cages movable upwardly in one shaft and downwardly in the other shaft, cage transfer means at the ends of the shafts, each cage in one shaft being paired with one cage in the other shaft, and means working in the shafts for maintaining a counterbalanced relation between the cages of each pair.

4. An elevator including separate shafts, sep arate cages movable upwardly in one shaft and downwardly in the other shaft, cage transfer means at the ends of the shafts, each cage in one shaft being paireL with one cage in the other shaft, a counterbalancing connection between the cages of each pair, and a coupling means between each cage and its connection.

5. An elevator including separate shafts, separate cages movable upwardly in one shaft and downwardly in the other shaft, cage transfer means at the ends of the shafts, counteibal-d ancing means in the shafts including a plurality of cables, and means on the cages for connecting them to any of the cables thereby to join one cage in one shaft to a predetermined cage in the other shaft, thus to counterbalance the cages.

6. An elevator including separate shafts, separate cages movableV upwardly in one shaft and downwardly in the other shaft, cage transfer means at the ends of the shafts, counterbalancing means in the shafts including a plurality of cables, means on the cages for connecting them to any of the cables thereby to join one cage in one shaft to a predetermined cage in the other shaft, thus to counterbalance the cages, said means including spaced projections on each cable, and a member carried by each cage for insertion between the projections.

7. nn elevator including separate shafts, separate cages movable upwardly in one shaft and downwardly in the other shaft, cage transfer means at the ends of the shafts, counterbalancing means in the shafts including a plurality of cables, means on the cages for connecting them to any of the cables thereby to join one cage in one shaft to a predetermined cage in the other shaft, thus to counterbalance the cages, said means inciudingspaced projections on each cable, a member carried by each cage for insertion between the projections, and means for adjusting the member for engagement with the projections on any one of the cables.

8. An elevator including separate shafts, separate cages movable upwardly in one shaft and downwardly in the other shaft, cage transfer means at the ends of the shafts, each cage in one shaft being paired with one cage in the other shaft, cables in the shafts for connecting the cages of the respective pairs, means for detachably connecting each cage to its cable, and

means for holding said cable against movement under the weight of one cage of a pair when the other cage is disconnected from the cable.

9. An elevator including separate shafts, separate cages movable upwardly in one shaft and downwardly in the other shaft, cage transfer means at the ends of the shafts, each cage in one shaft being paired with one cage in the other shaft, cables in the shafts for connecting the cages of the respective pairs, means for detachably connecting each cage to its cable,

means for holding said cable against movement under the weight of one cage of a pair when the other cage is disconnected from the cable, said means vincluding a projection on the cable, and a member movable into and out of engagement with the projection.

10. In an elevator the combination with a shaft, a plurality of cages therein, a cable working in the shaft, of means for detachably connecting the cages to the cable, means connected to the cable for counter-balancing the cages, and means for holding the cable against movement when the cages are relieved from the action of the counterbalancing means.

11. In an elevator the combination with -a shaft, a plurality of cages therein, a cable working in the shaft, of means for detachably connecting the cages to the cable, means connected to the cable for counterbalancing the cages, and means operated by a car on reaching the lower limit of its movement for locking the cable against movement while said car is detached therefrom.

12. An elevator including separate shafts, separate cages movable upwardly in one shaft and downwardly in the other shaft, cage transfer means'at the ends of the shafts, each cage in one shaft being paired with one cage in the other shaft, cables in the shafts for connecting the cages'of the respective pairs, and means in the connected cages for separately controlling the actuation thereof.

Y13. An elevator including separate shafts, separate cages movable upwardly in one shaft and downwardly in the other shaft, cage transfer means at the ends of the shafts, each cage in one shaft being paired with one cage in the other shaft, a counterbalancing connection between the cages-of each pair, and means actuated by an occupant of each cage of the pair for separately controlling the operation of both cages.

14. An elevator including separate shafts, separate cages movable upwardly in one shaft and downwardly in the other shaft, cage transfer means'at-the ends of the shafts, each/cage in one shaft being paired'with-one `cage -in the other shaft, a counterbalancing connection between the cagesl of each pair, -a remote motor for actuating the cages and their connection, and

vmeans operated bythe occupants of the cages of each pair for separately controlling the action of the -remotemoton 15. An elevator including separate shafts, separate cages movable upwardly in one shaft and downwardly in the other shaft, cage transfer means at the ends of the shafts, meansworking inthe shafts for coupling one cage in each shaft with another cage in the other shaft, each of said transfer means including a double Y- track extending across the adjacent ends Vof the shafts, a carriage mounted to move thereover from one shaft to the other, and means for engaging and supporting a cage when elevated into the carriage.

16. An elevator including separate shafts, separate cages movable upwardly in one shaft and downwardly in the other shaft, cage transfer means at the ends of the shafts, cables working in the shafts, means for detachably connecting the cages to the cables, said transfer means including a carriage-a track for guiding the carriage to the upper ends of the shafts successively, a latch on the carriage for engaging and supporting a cage moved into thecarriage, and means operated by the kconnecting means when moved into engagement with a cable for unlatching the cage from the carriage.

LENNA i R. vVVNSLOW. 

